June 15, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. — South Carolina men’s golf signee Matt NeSmith posted a final-round 70 (E) on Friday afternoon to win the American Junior Golf Association Footjoy Invitational at Cardinal Golf and Country Club.

NeSmith claimed a one-stroke victory with rounds of 70-67-69-70=276 (-4), earning a sponsor’s exemption to the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship on Aug. 16-19 at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C.

A native of North Augusta, S.C., NeSmith competed against a field of 84 golfers from 21 states and nine foreign countries. He jumped to the top of the leaderboard on the second day after firing a 3-under 67 and never relinquished his lead.

NeSmith will join the Gamecocks in the fall after a stellar prep and junior golf career. He was a three-time All-State selection at North Augusta High School and was a first team AJGA All-American in 2011. NeSmith is currently ranked No. 2 in the AJGA Polo Rankings and he was one of four junior golfers to receive the prestigious Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Award in May. He is one of two student-athletes who signed with the Gamecocks during the early signing period, joining Will Starke of Chapin, S.C.